The night deepened, and the twin moons above bathed the ruined area in a pale silver glow. The freshly cleared space around the collapsed house looked starkly empty, the only remnants of the disaster being the stacked wood Chase had painstakingly gathered. Selena remained nearby, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos Chase had grown used to.
As they stood together, Chase decided to break the silence. He turned to her, curiosity tugging at his thoughts. "Why did you follow Arthur here?" he asked, his tone even but probing. "I mean, it doesn't seem like this is the kind of place you'd willingly come to."
Selena glanced at him, tilting her head thoughtfully. "I didn't follow Arthur," she said, brushing a stray curl from her face. "I followed Mia. She's my best friend, and wherever she goes, I go. Simple as that."
Chase raised an eyebrow. "So, Arthur dragged Mia here, and you just... went along for the ride?"
Selena chuckled softly. "Pretty much. Mia's always had this knack for getting us into odd situations, and I guess I've always been the one to tag along and make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble."
Chase nodded, understanding the dynamic. "Sounds exhausting."
"It has its moments," Selena admitted with a smile. "But she's worth it. We've been through a lot together, so I don't mind."
The conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence, the faint hum of nocturnal life filling the air. Chase found himself appreciating Selena's presence more than he expected. There was an unassuming kindness about her, a warmth that seemed to make the cold night a little more bearable.
As the minutes passed, Selena yawned, stretching her arms. "It's getting late," she said, her voice tinged with weariness. "Where are you planning to sleep tonight?"
Chase froze at the question, glancing around the empty space. The collapsed house offered no shelter, and the surrounding area was barren. "Uh..." He hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "I... don't exactly have anywhere to sleep."
Selena's lips curved into a small smile. "Thought so," she said, shaking her head. "Wait here."
Before Chase could respond, she turned and started walking away. "My hostel isn't far," she called over her shoulder. "I'll see if I can grab something to help you out."
Chase watched her disappear into the distance, a mix of gratitude and confusion swirling in his mind. He hadn't expected her to offer help, but he wasn't going to complain. Turning back to the ruins, he sighed and began pacing, his thoughts wandering.
He was just beginning to wonder where Arthur had gone when something on the ground caught his eye. Frowning, Chase walked closer and crouched down. It was a shirt—Arthur's shirt.
"What the hell?" Chase muttered, picking it up and holding it out like it was contaminated. His gaze drifted forward, where another piece of clothing lay crumpled on the ground.
This time, it was a dress.
Chase's eyes narrowed, suspicion forming in his mind. He stepped forward cautiously, following the trail of discarded clothes. The further he went, the more the pieces began to form a story he wasn't sure he wanted to know.
Finally, he spotted movement ahead. In the dim light, he could make out the silhouette of Arthur. His back was to Chase, but the rhythmic motion of his body and the sounds that accompanied it left no doubt about what was happening.
Arthur's waist moved forward in sharp, exaggerated thrusts, his voice carrying over the still night air.
"Call me Daddy! Yes, baby! That's it—just like that!"
Chase stopped in his tracks, his brain struggling to process the scene before him. For a moment, he simply stood there, frozen in place, torn between horror and disbelief.
"Unbelievable," Chase muttered under his breath, shaking his head. He turned around and walked back toward the ruins, determined to put as much distance as possible between himself and whatever madness Arthur was indulging in.
***
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